How to Create an Animated Newsletter Header Using Doodly and GIFs
Saturday, September 21, 2024
We’ve all been there – you spend hours crafting a newsletter, choosing the right words, images, and buttons.
Yet, somehow, it still doesn’t quite resonate with your audience. The open rate is lower than expected, and even fewer people are clicking through.
With inboxes constantly flooded with promotions, updates, and reminders, grabbing attention is more challenging than ever.
Amid the daily email overload, even well-crafted newsletters can easily get overlooked. You need something to stop the scroll, to make your email stand out before it’s sent straight to the archive, or worse – the trash.
So, how do you create an email that not only gets opened but also keeps your reader engaged?
One way to catch your reader’s eye is by incorporating animated elements.
Sure, static images get the job done, but they can feel flat and uninspiring. On the other hand, animated GIFs add movement and life, giving your email the flair it needs to truly pop.
In today’s article, we’re going to show you how to use Doodly to create an engaging animated header for your newsletter. You’ll learn how to convert your Doodly creation into an animated GIF, making your emails more dynamic and eye-catching.
By the end, you'll be ready to breathe new life into your newsletter and leave a lasting impression on your readers.
Ready to spice up your next newsletter with a touch of animation? Let’s dive in and get started!
Creating an Animated Header with Doodly
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s dive into creating your animated header using Doodly. Here’s how to get started and make your newsletter stand out:
Setting Up Your Doodly Project
Start by opening Doodly and creating a new project. For this tutorial, we’ll set up a custom resolution to fit your newsletter’s header space.
- Click on “Create New Video.”
- Select “Custom” under “Resolution.”
- Enter the dimensions you need – for instance, 600 pixels wide by 200 pixels high.
- Name your project something descriptive, like “Newsletter Header.”
Designing Your Header
Once your project is set up, it’s time to design your header. Follow these steps:
- Add Text: Click on the “Text” tab and choose a bold font to make your header stand out. For example, select “Acme Regular” or any other bold font you prefer. Type in your newsletter’s name or a catchy headline.
- Insert Graphics: Go to the “Props” tab to find shapes and images. You might use a simple line or a decorative element to enhance the text.
- Include a Character (Optional): If you want to add a touch of personality, choose a character from Doodly’s library. Place it strategically in your design, maybe near the text or as a fun addition.
Animating Your Header
With your design in place, it’s time to animate:
- Choose Animation Effects: Decide which parts of your header you want to animate. You can apply effects like the default scribble effect or a fade effect to certain elements.
- Adjust Animation Duration: Set the duration for each animation. For a header, keep it brief – around 1-4 seconds – to ensure it grabs attention without being distracting.
- Preview and Adjust: Play your animation to see how it looks. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure it’s smooth and engaging.
Exporting Your Animated Header
Once you’re happy with your animation:
- Go to “Scene Settings” and add any extra time if needed.
- Click “Apply” and then export your video file.
- Save your file in a format suitable for conversion to a GIF.
In the next section, we’ll cover how to convert your Doodly video into an animated GIF, making it ready for use in your newsletter.
Converting Your Doodly Video into an Animated GIF
With your Doodly video ready, the next step is to convert it into an animated GIF. This format is perfect for emails because it’s widely supported and doesn’t require video playback.
Here’s how to make the conversion:
Choosing a Conversion Tool
There are several online tools available for converting videos to GIFs. For this guide, we’ll use ezgif.com, a popular and user-friendly option. However, feel free to use any other tool you prefer.
Uploading Your Video
- Visit ezgif.com.
- Click on the “Video to GIF” option.
- Upload your Doodly video file by clicking “Choose File” and then “Upload Video.”
Adjusting GIF Settings
Once your video is uploaded:
- Set Frame Rate: Since your video is short, a higher frame rate will make the GIF smoother. A frame rate of 20 frames per second is a good choice.
- Trim and Crop: If needed, trim the video to remove any unnecessary parts and crop it to fit the dimensions of your newsletter header.
- Optimize: Use the tool’s optimization features to reduce the file size without compromising too much on quality.
Converting and Downloading
- Click “Convert to GIF” to start the conversion process.
- Once completed, preview your GIF to ensure it looks as expected.
- Click “Save” to download the GIF file to your computer.
Adding Your GIF to Your Newsletter
- Open your email marketing platform or the tool you use to create your newsletter.
- Insert the GIF into your newsletter’s header section.
- Adjust the placement and size as needed to fit seamlessly into your design.
In the next section, we’ll explore how to preview your GIF and make final tweaks to ensure everything looks just right before sending out your newsletter.
Previewing and Final Adjustments
Now that you’ve created and inserted your animated GIF into your newsletter, it's time to ensure everything looks perfect. This final step is crucial for making sure your email stands out and delivers the impact you want.
Preview Your Newsletter
- Check the GIF Display: Before sending your newsletter, preview it to see how the GIF appears in the email. Ensure it plays correctly and that the animation is smooth.
- Verify Email Client Compatibility: Different email clients may render GIFs differently. Test your newsletter in various email clients (such as Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail) to confirm consistent display.
- Review Layout and Design: Make sure the GIF integrates well with your overall newsletter design. Check that it doesn’t overwhelm other content and that the layout is visually appealing.
Optimize for Performance
- Check File Size: Ensure your GIF file size is optimized for quick loading. Large files can slow down email loading times or even get clipped by email clients.
- Adjust Dimensions: If the GIF appears too large or too small, adjust its dimensions to fit well within the header section of your newsletter. Keep it eye-catching but not overwhelming.
Final Tweaks
- Proofread Your Content: Double-check all text, links, and any other elements in your newsletter for errors or inconsistencies.
- Test with Different Devices: Send test emails to yourself and view them on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure the GIF and overall newsletter display correctly across all platforms.
Ready to Send
Once you’re satisfied with the preview and adjustments, you’re all set to send your newsletter. Click “Send” or “Schedule” depending on your email marketing tool.
In the next section, we’ll wrap up by summarizing the steps and offering final tips to make your newsletter truly shine.
Conclusion
We’ve journeyed through creating an animated header for your newsletter with Doodly, transforming it into an eye-catching GIF that’s ready to stand out in your subscribers’ inboxes.
Here's a quick recap of what we’ve covered:
- Creating Your Animated Header: We used Doodly to design a vibrant, engaging header that captures attention with animation.
- Converting to GIF: We walked through the steps of converting your Doodly video into an animated GIF using ezgif.com.
- Inserting into Your Newsletter: We discussed how to embed your animated GIF into your newsletter and checked for compatibility across different email clients.
- Final Adjustments: We highlighted the importance of previewing, optimizing, and testing your newsletter to ensure everything looks and performs as intended.
By adding dynamic elements like animated GIFs to your newsletters, you can break through the noise of crowded inboxes and make a memorable impact. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different animations and styles to see what resonates best with your audience.
Now it’s your turn to get creative. Start animating with Doodly and spice up your newsletters to grab attention and keep your readers engaged.
Got any questions or want to share your animated header creations? Drop a comment below or connect with us on social media. We’d love to see what you come up with!
Ready to transform your newsletter into a dynamic visual experience? Let’s get started and make your next email unforgettable!
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